Obama congratulates Indonesia's incoming president Jokowi

Indonesian president elect Joko Widodo (centre) answers questions from the media in Jakarta on July 23, 2014 as he returns to work after the General Elections Commission declared him the winner of the presidential elections. -- PHOTO: AFP
Indonesian president elect Joko Widodo (centre) answers questions from the media in Jakarta on July 23, 2014 as he returns to work after the General Elections Commission declared him the winner of the presidential elections. -- PHOTO: AFP

JAKARTA (THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Best wishes and congratulations from world leaders have been flowing in for president-elect Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, following Tuesday evening's final election result announcement by the General Elections Commission (KPU).

US President Barack Obama, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott were among the first world leaders to call Jokowi and congratulate him.

"Last night, Pak SBY (outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) and Mr Vice President Boediono called and congratulated me. This morning, the Singaporean PM and Australian PM called me. At 11am today, Mr Obama called and congratulated me," Jokowi said at City Hall in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Jokowi said that each of the leaders had offered a positive message of support in the hopes of forging solid bilateral ties with Indonesia.

Also on Tuesday night, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak congratulated Jokowi via his Twitter account, shortly after the KPU announcement.

"Congratulations, Jokowi, on winning Indonesia's presidential election. I hope to reaffirm our bilateral relations and look forward to seeing you," Najib posted.

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